The deadly Israeli airstrikes in Yemen on Hodeida port on 5 May and Sana’a airport on 6 May, which reportedly killed 7 people and injured 97 more*, will further endanger civilians by cutting off the delivery of vital humanitarian supplies for people in dire need. These sites are essential for the import of supplies, fuel and humanitarian aid.
MSF denounces these attacks that have damaged important civilian infrastructure in a country that has already been devastated by more than a decade of war and violence and heavily relies on humanitarian assistance. Primarily, it is civilians who will suffer the consequences of these acts of violence.
"This escalation threatens humanitarian operations and will likely push Yemenis further into an environment of serious food insecurity. There is a threat of a humanitarian disaster in Yemen, especially in the north of the country, due to the disruption of critical supplies and a lack of access to healthcare," says Dennis Habaasa, MSF Head of Mission in Yemen.
MSF has already been facing ongoing difficulties in sending supplies to Yemen, with even greater challenges in delivering them to medical facilities in the northern part of the country. Destroying Sanaa airport and the Hudaydah port, which are critical entry points for humanitarian supplies and staff in and out of northern Yemen, will be devastating to the Yemeni population, who are already suffering from a massive humanitarian crisis.
MSF calls for the protection of all civilians and civilian infrastructure, as well as for the unimpeded flow of food, medical supplies, fuel, and other critical humanitarian supplies for the people in dire need in Yemen.
*Statistics according to Ministry of Health in Yemen.